Immokalee Homecoming King: Julio Loya

Corey Perrine/Staff Egle Bello, a Collier County bus driver, hugs Julio Loya, before boarding the bus Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Jacky Marcellus, left, a running back on the football team, fist bumps Julio Loya, during lunch, while Rafael Lopez, left, and JC Jackson, a defensive back, look on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, points to where he appeared in the local paper Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, does military presses in weight training class Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff ESC Teacher Kelly Stevenson hi-fives Julio Loya, after getting a math problem correct Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Kelly Stevenson, an exceptional student education teacher, shows a photo taken Sunday of Julio Loya in his new suit for homecoming court Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya had no formal wear and Stevenson and Florestella Carranza, his job coach, chipped in to buy him one. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, completes work on his computer Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, walks through the kitchen where he is taught vocational skills at a restaurant at the high school Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Although an unpaid, the education is invaluable that will prepare him for the working world after high school. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Rafael Lopez, 18, from left, lets Julio Loya, win at arm wrestling while friends Elizabeth Galvan, 19, and Jonnie Corvantez III, 16, look on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, laughs with Dr. Mary Murray, principal, as he is embarrassed to appear in the local paper Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, shows off a collage he made after hearing about his homecoming court nomination while ESE Teacher Kelly Stevenson fives his identification tag Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Jonnie Corvantez III, 16, left, smiles at friend Julio Loya, before being driven home from school Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya has been nominated by his classmates at Immokalee High School for Homecoming King. Loya is mentally handicapped and attends a special needs class. However, despite obstacles, the 17 year-old senior makes friends easily and is waterboy to the varsity football team.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, waits in the staging area Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates center stage on the football field.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya and Annie Morgan, 17, pose for pictures on the sidelines Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates at center of the football field.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya is escorted as he is introduced mid-field Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, spreads his hands after he is named homecoming king Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, is congratulated by the former Homecoming King Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title for 2012-13.

Corey Perrine/Staff Dr. Mary Murray adorns a crown and cepter on Julio Loya, Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King for 2012-13.

Corey Perrine/Staff Cynthia Rodriguez is congratulated as this year's homecoming queen while Julio Loya, looks to friends and family Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates at mid-football field.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, has tears wiped away from Florestella Carranza, from left, mom, Maria Jacobo and grandmother, Maria Gutierrez, clinging on during an emotional win Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates at mid-football field.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya hugs friend and classmate Johnny Garza, 18, while his mom Maria Jacobo, left, smiles on after a big win Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates at mid-football field.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, poses with Cynthia Rodriguez after being named Homecoming King and Queen respectively Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, hi-fives Tshumbi Johnson after being named Homecoming King Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School.

Corey Perrine/Staff Julio Loya, is overcome by emotion hugging his mother, Maria Jacobo, Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Immokalee High School. Loya won the title of Homecoming King celebrated with his family, classmates and teammates at center of the football field.